Ultrasonic Projectile Placement Verification in Weapon Forcing Cones
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices fail to ensure the correct placement and sealing of projectiles in the forcing cone of large caliber weapons, leading to potential detachment, gas leaks, and safety risks due to inadequate attachment verification.
Innovation Solution
A device using piezoelectric sensors to emit ultrasonic waves and receive echoes, analyzing the reflections to determine the quality of projectile placement and sealing within the forcing cone, providing real-time monitoring and compliance information to prevent unsafe firing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sonic sensors are used to detect projectile presence, then basic loading detection is achieved, but detection of correct projectile placement and sealing quality is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple sonic sensors with ultrasonic wave emission and reception systems. The ultrasonic waves propagate through the projectile and forcing cone, and their reflection characteristics provide detailed information about projectile placement quality and sealing effectiveness, enabling precise detection of placement conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from basic acoustic presence detection to ultrasonic wave reflection analysis. By analyzing the characteristics of reflected ultrasonic waves, the system can determine projectile placement quality, sealing status, and potential detachment conditions with high precision.
2Reliability
If no verification system is implemented, then device complexity is low, but safety risks increase due to undetected improper placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where ultrasonic waves are emitted, their reflections are received and analyzed, and the results are used to determine whether the projectile is correctly placed and sealed. This closed-loop feedback provides continuous monitoring of projectile placement quality and sealing status, ensuring safety while managing system complexity through automated detection.
3Measurement precision
If ultrasonic waves are used to verify projectile placement, then placement quality and sealing can be detected, but additional equipment and system complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic sensor system serves multiple functions: detecting projectile presence, verifying correct placement in the forcing cone, assessing sealing quality, and detecting potential detachment. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive verification with a single integrated system rather than multiple separate detection mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures accurate and continuous verification of projectile placement, preventing gas leaks and detachment, thereby enhancing safety by ensuring proper sealing and immobilization before firing.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor comprises a set of piezoelectric elements generating ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 2
the sensor also being able to receive at least one reflection echo of the emitted wave front and to transmit this echo in the form of an electrical signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a control device (1) for positioning a projectile (100) in a weapon tube and a method implementing such a device (1). The weapon tube includes a forcing cone (14) designed to radially clamp the projectile (100). The device (1) includes a sensor (2) mounted against the tube and connected to a computer (200) for processing a signal from the sensor. The sensor comprises a set of piezoelectric elements (2b) that generate ultrasonic waves (20) emitting at least one wavefront directed radially towards the longitudinal axis (X) of the weapon and centered longitudinally opposite the forcing cone (14). The sensor (2) is chosen such that the wavefront (20) can extend inside the weapon tube (10) over a width (L1) greater than the width (L2) of the forcing cone (14).